This week's secret ingredient was lightbulbs! Cheer on the competitors in this zany science cook-off. Teachers compete before a live audience at the Exploratorium for the revered title, "Iron Science Teacher."

Cheer on the competitors in this zany science cook-off. Teachers compete before a live audience at the Exploratorium for the revered title, "Iron Science Teacher." The Exploratorium's Iron Science Teacher competition showcases science teachers as they devise demonstrations around a particular "secret" ingredient—and today's secret ingredient was oil!

This April Fools’ Day After Dark event exposed people’s threshold for taking chances. For example, visitors could test their belief in the laws of physics as a bowling ball swung toward them. They could also tackle a climbing wall, try their luck at casino games, and see if they had the nerve to carry out the instructions on a card they were given.

Join Exploratorium Senior Scientist Paul Doherty and visiting scientist Alfredo Mateus for an exploration of hands-on demos. In today's webcast, Paul and Alfredo will be looking at a voice activated chemical reaction and what happens when you heat plastic in water!

Paul Stepahin is an Exploratorium exhibit developer who has a background in physics. He's worked on exhibits such as Elephant Turntable and Additor. Paul's knowledge and love of computer science and complex math has made him a resource for Exploratorium staff. In this program, Paul discusses the theoretical math P versus NP problem.

Webcasts made possible through
the generosity of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, The Jim Clark
Endowment for Internet Education, the McBean Family Foundation,.and the Corporation for Educational Networks Initiatives in California (CENIC).